Having previously discussed the three deadliest animals in North America, let’s look at four others to update the list to 7. Because the three formerly discussed tell very little of the story. Here we go.
4 Deadliest Animals In North America
…after the Alligator, the Arizona bark scorpion & the Cougar
Bears
Every year, at least three people die from bear attacks in America, but that’s half of the story. Many more are left injured or maimed. The black bear is the most dangerous species of them all, leading the chart for kills and injuries, closely followed by the grizzly. A mere glance at the imposing stature and threatening fingers of the bear is enough to convince you of its remarkable killing ability.
Most Found Habitats: Black & grizzly bears can be found across North America, especially the northwest, while the polar species live in Canada & Alaska.
Eating Preferences: Black bears are omnivorous animals, feasting chiefly on fruits & veggies but throwing in some fish & meat occasionally. Grizzlies are more carnivorous, preferring to eat fish, bison, deer, moose, elk, and fruits & veggies like their distant brothers.
What To Do Upon An Encounter: First, if you’re traveling to a place where you expect to meet bears, I recommend that you carry a bear repellant. However, before doing anything when you meet a bear, speak to it in a steady, appeasing tone.
When leaving, avoid running. Walk instead, keeping your eyes focused on the bear to observe its reaction. I advise that you leave this area as soon as possible without making a fuss. And if it ever comes to a chase, avoid climbing a tree because the bear can.
American Bison
The American bison is aggressive, and it shows it when it perceives a threat. This is particularly worse in females with kids. “Bison selfie” is quite popular these days, and while it can be fun, all I have to say is that it is a bad idea to get so close & personal to such dangerous animals. But what do I know anyway?
Commonest Habitats: The bison is common across North America. It is mostly found on prairies & plains and in river valleys. History also claims that they were a frequent sight in sparsely wooded areas. The bison also grazes in mountainous or hilly regions with not-so-steep slopes.
Meanwhile, although bison are identified as high-altitude animals, there is a herd living on the plains surrounding the Henry Mountains at an altitude of nearly 10 000 feet. Also, the Yellowstone Park herd graze at an elevation of about 8 000 FT high.
Feeding Preferences: The American Bison is an herbivore, feasting mostly on grass & shrubbery (occasionally). When winter arrives, bison forage under snow for grass, and in the absence of any, make do with the twigs of shrubs.
What To Do When You Meet One: It is advisable to see that you keep at least a distance of 100 meters from the bison at all times. As we have mentioned for other large animals, do not move too suddenly or quickly. Rather, back off slowly and steadily.
Keep your dogs leashed when in a likely bison habitat as they may be triggered to attack. Lastly, if you come across some while driving, be patient with them, and they will let you go eventually. Avoid honking or trying to drive impatiently through them. True, they rarely attack vehicles, but there are cases where they have.
Great White Shark
With the movie “Jaws,” millions of people (an entire generation, in fact) became too scared to enter the water upon realizing how dangerous sharks are. Every year, at least 20 people are attacked by sharks in America, with the possibility that one of the attacks is fatal and severely injurious.
Pretty good odds, don’t you think? But that’s just until it happens to you.
Common Locations: Sharks are a common presence in warm coastal waters across the world. In America, they are mostly found off California’s coast & in the northeast.
Dietary Preferences: Great White sharks are unique carnivores. They do not chew their meals, preferring instead to swallow as a whole. Their commonest foods are fish, sea lions, seals, rays, belugas, otters & other sharks.
What To Do In A Meet: Sharks are similar to alligators: they are attracted to sound & movement. So, if you see one while it hasn’t seen you, remain calm & avoid things that could bring you to its notice, for example, splashing the water. Slowly, quietly and carefully make your way to shore.
Snakes
One could rightly say that North America is a haven for venomous snakes due to how plenty they are in the region. According to stats, nearly 8000 people suffer a snake bite every year in America, and about 5–6 of these numbers end up dead or fatally wounded.
Common Locations: Venomous snakes are common in 98% of states in America, with Alaska being the only exception. They are, however, mostly found in the southern & southwestern US.
Eating Choices: Generally, snakes feed on smaller animals, such as mice & rats, but they also feast on larger animals, such as rabbits, chickens, goats, certain birds, frogs & even smaller snakes. Just like the great white sharks, snakes (pythons particularly) swallow their foods as a whole.
What To Do When You Come Across One: In most cases, snakes don’t attack except provoked. Therefore, should you come across one in your yard or the wilderness, your best decision will be to leave it undisturbed. Usually, the snake scampers for safety to the nearest cover, so do well not to be a barrier between it and any such cover, say a bush, hole, or shrub.
If you’re uncomfortable watching it & would like to shoo it away, you can turn your water hose on it. But you must keep a respectable distance to it.
Concluding The Deadliest Animals In North America
Escaping the deadliest animals in North America may not be easy when you hit the wilderness to camp, hike, or hunt. I suggest that you carry a weapon you can use to defend yourself, even if you won’t kill the animals. Keep your homes safe; there are common reports of people waking up to meet pythons in their kitchens.